Esol

For the second time in three years, a state audit shows that Orange County has been keeping students in English-language-learner programs without justification. At Shingle Creek Elementary, for example, the school received funding for a student who had already left the program in another district. The audit found no evidence that the school was giving the student any extra help. And at least seven schools got extra money for students who had been in the program, known as ESOL, for more than six years - the maximum number of years the state will reimburse districts for language services.

For the second time in three years, a state audit shows that Orange County has been keeping students in English-language-learner programs without justification. At Shingle Creek Elementary, for example, the school received funding for a student who had already left the program in another district. The audit found no evidence that the school was giving the student any extra help. And at least seven schools got extra money for students who had been in the program, known as ESOL, for more than six years - the maximum number of years the state will reimburse districts for language services.

Cynthia Quezada is a "lifer" - the nickname teachers give to students who've been confined, year after year, to classes for those struggling with English. If the term conveys a sense of hopelessness, that's not a coincidence. Across the state, most students new to speaking English are fully integrated into regular classes after three years. But in Central Florida alone, there are thousands of students like Quezada who have been languishing in the system for six, seven, eight or more years, with their chances of catching up diminishing by the day. The problem is particularly acute in Orange County, which was cited in a state audit last year for keeping students in English-language programs for too long.

KISSIMMEE -- Candidates for the Osceola District School Board had their first public forum of the political season last week, answering questions from moderators on what works and what needs to change to improve the school system. The forum at the Kissimmee Bay Country Club on Thursday night featured incumbents John McKay, who faces Judith Robertson in District 5; David Stone, who is being challenged by Scott Brooks in District 3; and Jay Wheeler of District 1, who is running against Eduardo Montalvo.

Seminole County's English for Speakers of Other Languages Parent Leadership Council is growing by leaps and bounds.Attendance at council meetings has more than doubled this school year, coordinator Eunice Hopkins said. Meetings are scheduled four times a year. As its last meeting this school year, the council will host a family picnic from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Red Bug Lake Park, 3600 Red Bug Lake Road in Casselberry.The ESOL Leadership Council introduces parents to programs available in Seminole County and the county public schoolsFor details, call (407)

I receive the Sentinel in both English and Spanish. On Saturday, both papers ran front-page articles about the results of an internal audit of Orange County's ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program. Translated, the Spanish article was entitled " `F' for the ESOL programs of Orange County," and the English article had a highlighted quote, "The entire program is in shambles." The audit found such discrepancies as not having paperwork for parents in their own languages (there are 131 languages!

Ana Fung, a student in the English for Speakers of Other Languages program at Seminole Community College, received the school's ESOL Award. Fung, a transfer student from Caracas, Venezuela, was honored for her perfect attendance and good citizenship qualities.

Starting next school year, elementary students who need help learning English probably won't leave their regular classrooms to get that language instruction.Instead, they will be helped by their own teacher or by a language specialist who will visit them. Now most elementary students who aren't native English speakers leave their classrooms to attend special language classes.''Some of those students were spending more time in the hallway than in the classroom,'' said Osceola Assistant Superintendent Blaine Muse.

Dorina Sackman, an Orange County educator who teaches students who struggle with English, was named Florida's Teacher of the Year this evening during a ceremony at Hard Rock Live at Universal CityWalk. Sackman, who teaches eighth-graders at Westridge Middle School, said she will use her celebrity status to be a voice for English language-learners. Wearing a black dress and jewelry from Macy's, sponsor of the event, Sackman screamed with delight when Gov. Rick Scott announced her name.

Cynthia Quezada is a "lifer" - the nickname teachers give to students who've been confined, year after year, to classes for those struggling with English. If the term conveys a sense of hopelessness, that's not a coincidence. Across the state, most students new to speaking English are fully integrated into regular classes after three years. But in Central Florida alone, there are thousands of students like Quezada who have been languishing in the system for six, seven, eight or more years, with their chances of catching up diminishing by the day. The problem is particularly acute in Orange County, which was cited in a state audit last year for keeping students in English-language programs for too long.

As valedictorian of her college class at University of Tampa and a teacher for more than 30 years, Alice Arias Campion of Orlando knew the value of a quality education. A first-generation American whose parents came to the U.S. from Spain, Campion did not begin to learn English until she started school. She spent much of her career with Orange County Public Schools teaching students in the English for Speakers of Other Languages program, known as ESOL. Campion died Monday of complications from a cerebral hemorrhage.

But Diawara, a 6-foot, 150-pound senior, also deserves praise for his classroom feats (cumulative 3.2 GPA through 4 years), especially with one very important variable in mind. As recently as 7 years ago, English was mostly a rumor to Diawara. Though he was born in Philly, at age 5 he'd been sent to Bamako, Mali, in Africa, to live with his grandfather/namesake, Oumar Diakara. "My parents [mother Djita, father Mamadou] thought it would be good for me to be raised in family's homeland," Diawara said Wednesday, during a break from a gloomy-day baseball practice at Shepherd Rec Center, 57th and Haverford.

Class: I am the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) teacher at Taylor Middle-High School in Pierson. AVID is a program designed for students from the academic middle (not straight A's) who show potential to improve. The ultimate goal is to help these students attend college. Education and experience: I earned a bachelor's degree from Toccoa Falls College in Georgia. I am certified, through a University of West Georgia graduate program, to teach English for speakers of other languages, or ESOL.

Karen Heiner's 10th-grade ESOL students at Freedom High School in Orange County had plenty to say about FCAT. Here are some of their thoughts: Yes, I would change FCAT. I would make it easier. FCAT is good in one way and bad in others. FACT tests your knowledge, but in some cases, like FCAT math, it asks you some question that you don't even know exist. For example, last year I was taking Algebra I, and I didn't know anything about geometry. When I was taking the FCAT, it had geometry problems, and I didn't know anything about geometry.

SPEAKING OF reading education, Orange County next year will use ''emergency immigrant'' federal grant money to further expand the Vanderbilt Literacy Lab into Orange County middle and high schools.The literacy labs, which include computers, software and books, were installed in 11 Orange County secondary schools this year. Nine more schools will have the labs next year at a cost of about $90,000.The program, developed at Vanderbilt University, was first used in Orange County for English-speaking students who had trouble reading.

Class: Eighth grade, Kissimmee Middle School. Achievements: "Yashira is a very talented and dedicated student. She has set personal goals and works hard to attain them," wrote Nilda Correa, ESOL teacher. How is your accomplishment important to you: "My achievements encourage me to follow my dreams and goals for my future." Favorite subject: Science. Favorite activities: Volleyball and art. Most admired person: "My parents, because they support me in everything I do." Plans after graduation: An artist.

Lake Technical Center and First Baptist Church of Leesburg have formed a partnership to offer English for speakers of other languages, adult basic education and general educational development classes. Students are being accepted for the free classes in the education building, 1414 W. Main St. in Leesburg. The ABE/GED preparation classes are from 8:15 to 10:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. daily. The ESOL class is from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday and Wednesday.

ORLANDO---The Orange County Library System is inviting Hispanic parents to visit its central library today to learn about the resources available for them and their children to learn English or improve language skills. There will be bilingual tutors and staff available to explain to those who attend how to use the library's free English-learning programs. The library will also have Hispanic snacks, music and entertainment. The Hispanic ESOL Resource Fair is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 101 E. Central Blvd.